Williams F1 Boss Has Plan to Get Franco Colapinto Back on the Grid
Franco Colapinto drove the final nine Grands Prix of 2024 for Williams—in place of Logan Sargeant—and scored points in two events.
Alpine last month signed Colapinto as reserve driver on a multi-year deal, with Williams' blessing.
Rumors persist that he will eventually take the place of Jack Doohan in the regular seat at Alpine.
Williams F1 Team Principal James Vowles says Franco Colapinto will return to Williams in the future. In the meantime, Vowles hopes the Argentine will make the Formula grid with Alpine, potentially this season.
Colapinto was thrust into Williams' driver lineup for the final nine Grands Prix of 2024, in place of Logan Sargeant, and scored points in two events.
The 21-year-old Colapinto was unable to land a full-time race seat for 2025, with Williams having already signed Carlos Sainz to partner Alex Albon on respective multi-year deals, though other teams were interested in his services.
Alpine last month signed Colapinto as reserve driver on a multi-year deal, with Williams' blessing, and rumors persist that he will eventually take the place of Jack Doohan in the regular seat at Alpine.
Earlier today, Vowles said that the plan is for the 21-year-old to eventually return to Williams.
'There's a period of time whereby I hope he is racing for Alpine,' Vowles said on Friday. 'The reason why we did this is that I wanted him to be racing in '25 and or '26. It's the best chance he has is with Alpine, as far as (getting on the grid), that's why he's there.
'And I don't mean that to the detriment of Jack (Doohan). I hope Jack has a successful time. But ultimately, Franco is my driver (at Williams) that I want back in that car. After a period of time, he'll return to Williams. That period of time is not a line set in stone where I can look you in the eye and say it. But I can say he'll be back to Williams at some point.'
Vowles was speaking at the unveiling of Williams' FW47 at Silverstone on Friday—in an interim livery ahead of next Tuesday's F1 season launch—and was cautious about the team's prospects this season.
'I've been very clear from the beginning that 2026 is the large year I want to make sure we put focus onto,' Vowles said, referring to next year's wide-ranging regulation changes.
'And that will have an effect on 2025, a sacrifice in some elements. For me, my head is clear. It's about the future of this organization. So, the result of that is, let's get some boots on the ground early, two experienced drivers, and pick up what we can.'
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